Quick take
Choosing ham radio transceivers starts with matching the radio to the operating brief: HF work, broader multi-band operation, or a focused UHF FM setup. Price matters, but the gap between a dedicated band-and-mode choice and a wider all-mode radio can matter more. The four used choices here cover those different priorities. Listed prices run from USD 199.99 to USD 738.20, a USD 538.21 spread. The useful shortcut is to decide your band and mode first, then use condition, accessories, and price to separate close candidates.
Listed-price comparison
| Radio | Listed price | Price bar |
|---|---|---|
| Icom IC-706 | USD 490.00 | |
| Yaesu FT-890 | USD 450.00 | |
| Yaesu FT-897D | USD 738.20 | |
| Kenwood TM-451A | USD 199.99 |
Decision matrix
- HF/VHF radio: Icom IC-706 - its title uses that band pairing, giving the model a clear starting point for that kind of setup.
- Named accessories and working claim: Yaesu FT-890 - the title includes a microphone, DC cable, and tested-working wording.
- All-mode multi-band setup: Yaesu FT-897D - the title states HF/VHF/UHF all-mode operation and 100W.
- 430-440MHz UHF FM: Kenwood TM-451A - the title identifies the 70cm frequency and FM mode, while the model is also identified as dual band.
Product notes
Icom IC-706
The Icom IC-706 is a sensible fit for a shopper who values an LCD screen and a named microphone. It has a black finish and is identified as used. That gives it a clear practical role for someone who wants a visible operating display alongside the included mic, rather than choosing solely around a 70cm FM frequency description. The limitation is the used condition, which makes it a less direct match for a shopper specifically seeking new equipment. The model's title keeps the choice centered on HF/VHF, while the LCD gives the front panel a concrete usability feature.
Yaesu FT-890
The Yaesu FT-890 earns attention for the concrete accessories and condition wording in its title: a microphone, DC cable, and tested-working status. The model designation is clear, and its black, used condition is identified. Choose it when those named inclusions and the working claim matter more than a wider band-and-mode description. The limitation is that the unit remains used, so it is not a match for a shopper who wants new equipment. Its HF title makes the intended focus easy to understand, without the broader all-mode wording attached to the FT-897D.
Yaesu FT-897D
The FT-897D is aimed at shoppers who want a radio with a plainly stated 100W output and a detailed frequency range: HF (160m-10m), 6m, 2m, and 70cm. Its used condition is explicit, and the description says it was tested and confirmed working. The limitation is that scratches and signs of use are described, while no manufacturer warranty is stated. Those constraints matter when a shopper weighs broad stated coverage against the condition terms of pre-owned equipment. Its black finish and 8.6-pound listed weight add identifying detail but do not change that trade-off.
Kenwood TM-451A
Kenwood TM-451A is the focused choice for a 430-440MHz 70cm UHF FM brief. It is also identified as dual band and with an LCD screen, giving the model a specific operating profile rather than a broad all-mode description. The listed price is USD 199.99, the lowest in the comparison, so it is a straightforward starting point when that frequency-and-mode target is the priority. The limitation is clear: the item is sold as is. Choose it for the stated UHF FM use, not when HF is the central requirement.
Final recommendation by use case
- Display-and-mic use: Choose the Icom IC-706 when an LCD screen and microphone are central to the setup.
- HF-focused use: Choose the Yaesu FT-890 when the HF title and tested-working wording align with the intended operation.
- Broadest stated band-and-mode use: Choose the Yaesu FT-897D for its explicit HF/VHF/UHF all-mode description and stated range from HF through 70cm.
- Lowest listed-price use: Choose the Kenwood TM-451A when 70cm UHF FM fits the plan and the sold-as-is condition is acceptable.
The USD 538.21 spread is substantial, but the operating brief should lead the decision. A focused 70cm FM radio and an all-mode HF/VHF/UHF transceiver serve distinctly different purposes, while the Icom and FT-890 sit between those endpoints with more specific accessory or display considerations.
